Published Jul 23, 2026 | 2:43 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 23, 2026 | 2:43 PM
(Representational image)
Synopsis: A 26-year-old man died while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thoothukudi, with his family alleging that he was subjected to custodial torture by the police.
Tension prevailed at the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital on Thursday, 23 July, after a 26-year-old man died while undergoing treatment following alleged custodial torture.
The man, identified as Arunachalam, son of Nagarajan and a resident of Amudha Nagar in Thoothukudi, was employed at a TASMAC bar near Third Mile in the city.
Arunachalam’s family alleged that he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the police during interrogation and refused to accept his body, demanding action against the officers concerned.
According to his family, Arunachalam was taken into custody by South Police Station personnel on July 17 in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal sale of liquor after the closure of a TASMAC outlet. Police reportedly seized around 120 liquor bottles from him and brought him to the South Police Station for questioning.
Later that evening, Arunachalam was admitted to the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital with injuries to his head and legs. Police informed his mother, Parameswari, that he had been hospitalised.
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After remaining under treatment for several days, Arunachalam died on Thursday morning. Following his death, his family accused four police personnel of assaulting him during interrogation, alleging that the injuries led to his death.
Refusing to receive the body after the post-mortem, the family staged a protest at the hospital, demanding justice and strict action against the officers allegedly involved. They insisted that unless criminal action is initiated against the four policemen, they would not accept the body.
Speaking to reporters, Arunachalam’s mother Parameswari alleged that her son was healthy and had no such injuries before being taken into police custody and claimed that he died as a result of the assault. Another relative, Rajeshwari, echoed the demand for an impartial investigation and action against the policemen.
Senior police officials, including Thoothukudi Town Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sunil, held talks with the protesting family members in an attempt to defuse the situation.
Responding to the allegations, DSP Sunil denied that Arunachalam had been assaulted by the police personnel.
The DSP claimed that Arunachalam was brought to the station only for inquiry and suddenly fainted during questioning. Police immediately informed his family and, with the help of his parents, shifted him to the Government Medical College Hospital, he said.
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The DSP further said that Arunachalam again collapsed at the hospital, where doctors informed the police that he had a swelling in his head. He maintained that Arunachalam was not assaulted while in police custody and asserted that the incident was “not a lock-up death.”
The incident has sparked protests, with the family continuing to demand accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Arunachalam’s death. The exact cause of death is expected to be determined through the post-mortem examination and subsequent inquiry.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
